If a home has a gas furnace and separate electric air conditioning system, one option available is an a/c + coil change out. The “a/c” stands for condensing coil or outdoor unit. The “coil” stands for evaporator coil which is usually affixed to the furnace. These replacement options are more affordable than a full system change-out but come with a few caveats.
- Utility company rebates often do not apply. Utility companies, in their infinite wisdom, require both the a/c and heating side of the system to be changed out. This does make sense in that the furnace blower operates whether the thermostat is calling for heating or cooling.
- Guaranteed SEER efficiency is often 14. As with the previous bullet, this replacement matches new coils with an older furnace and fan blower. Often times, much of the higher efficiencies are wrung out of ECM or X-13 fan blowers.
- Changing out both the a/c and heating system simultaneously can save the homeowner up to $500 in labor costs.
Craig Sopo 